*An embarrassed BJP has found itself on the back foot after a video purportedly showing a local party leader handing over money to the alleged 'love jihad' victim in Meerut surfaced.
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The girl after alleging forced conversion, gang-rape and marriage with a Muslim cleric had made a U-turn.
The video shows the convener of the BJP's state traders' cell, Vineet Agarwal giving the money to the 'victim', seen with her family members. Some other local party leaders are also present.
The leader was also heard in the video clip telling the woman and her family that they 'need not worry' and that the party would 'do whatever possible' for them.
Now on the back foot, Agarwal defended offering money and said his objective was to help the victim. "Help should not be seen through a political prism. I had only extended help to a poor family," he asserted.
The woman also alleged that her family started torturing her after the "flow of money stopped".
Meerut police have registered a case against the family members of the woman after she alleged that they had plotted to kill her. The matter was pending in the court.
The police plan to get her statement recorded before a magistrate, sources said.The woman had on Sunday made a U-turn and claimed that she had not been forced to convert and marry the Muslim cleric and that her earlier statement to the contrary had been given under pressure from her family members.
However, her parents alleged that she had changed her statement under pressure from the culprits. "The culprits had been exerting pressure on us to withdraw the complaint. They have succeeded in coercing the victim," the parents alleged.
While the BJP has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have slammed the saffron party for raising a hue and cry over the matter. Reported by Deccan Herald 4 hours ago.
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The girl after alleging forced conversion, gang-rape and marriage with a Muslim cleric had made a U-turn.
The video shows the convener of the BJP's state traders' cell, Vineet Agarwal giving the money to the 'victim', seen with her family members. Some other local party leaders are also present.
The leader was also heard in the video clip telling the woman and her family that they 'need not worry' and that the party would 'do whatever possible' for them.
Now on the back foot, Agarwal defended offering money and said his objective was to help the victim. "Help should not be seen through a political prism. I had only extended help to a poor family," he asserted.
The woman also alleged that her family started torturing her after the "flow of money stopped".
Meerut police have registered a case against the family members of the woman after she alleged that they had plotted to kill her. The matter was pending in the court.
The police plan to get her statement recorded before a magistrate, sources said.The woman had on Sunday made a U-turn and claimed that she had not been forced to convert and marry the Muslim cleric and that her earlier statement to the contrary had been given under pressure from her family members.
However, her parents alleged that she had changed her statement under pressure from the culprits. "The culprits had been exerting pressure on us to withdraw the complaint. They have succeeded in coercing the victim," the parents alleged.
While the BJP has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have slammed the saffron party for raising a hue and cry over the matter. Reported by Deccan Herald 4 hours ago.